About: Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
European Union steps up funding to Belarus groups
The EU will increase its support for Belarusian civil society by €30 million, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday (12 December), after meeting exiled opposition head Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in Brussels.
Belarus jails Lukashenko foe Babariko for 14 years in sham trial
A court in Belarus jailed former presidential contender Viktor Babariko for 14 years on Tuesday (6 July) after convicting him on corruption charges he denied, sparking condemnation from the West and the embattled opposition-in-exile.
EU reproves Belarus’ walkout from the Eastern Partnership
Belarus on Monday (28 June) said it was suspending its participation in the EU’s Eastern Partnership, an initiative to boost ties between the EU and its ex-Soviet neighbours, a move condemned by Brussels as “another step backwards” after the skyjacking...
Tsikhanouskaya: Repressions are escalating, EU should be ‘braver’ in its sanction policy
Actions of the international community, including European sanctions against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, have to be ‘faster and braver‘ to support Belarusian civil society in its struggle, Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told EURACTIV. “The protest mood hasn’t been...
Lukashenko tells loyalists he defeated foreign ‘blitzkrieg’
Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday (11 February) declared victory over what he said was foreign attempts to overthrow his government and showed no signs of heeding the embattled opposition's calls for him to resign.
EU Parliament president under fire for ‘not supporting’ democracy in Belarus
A leading Member of the European Parliament is organising a debate on Wednesday (10 February) intended to overturn a decision by the assembly's President David Sassoli not to open an office in Brussels representing the Belarus opposition, presumably under the advice of EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell.
EU envoys agree more Belarus sanctions
EU ambassadors agreed Wednesday (16 December) further economic sanctions on Belarus over its brutal crackdown on opposition protesters, targeting 29 individuals and seven firms or organisations, diplomats said.
Belarus protesters gather ‘despite repressions, violence and cold’
Protesters in Belarus weathered icy conditions Sunday (13 December), hitting the streets to demand the resignation of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko who is facing down months of historic protests against his rule.
Belarus protesters take to the streets with new tactic
Opposition protesters in Belarus took to the streets of the capital Minsk on Sunday (29 November) in the latest of three months of demonstrations against the re-election of strongman president Alexander Lukashenko.
Lukashenko: With the new Consitution, I will no longer work with you as President
The Belarusian strongman Aleksander Lukashenko hinted on Friday (27 (November) he would step down once the new constitution is adopted. He said he supports a new Constitution, "not because some kind of democracy is needed" but because giving it to "an unknown president" in its current form would cause trouble, state news agency BelTa reported.
Tens of thousands march in Belarus despite police threat to open fire
Belarusian police on Sunday (18 October) detained more than 200 people as tens of thousands marched against strongman Alexander Lukashenko in defiance of police threats to open fire after weeks of demonstrations.
Police in Belarus crack down on protesters, detain dozens
Security forces in Belarus detained dozens of protesters on Sunday (11 October) and used force, including water cannon and batons, to break up crowds demanding a new presidential election, TV footage showed.
Putin, Macron call for ‘complete’ halt to fighting in Karabakh
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron called for a "complete" halt to fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh and said they were ready to intensify diplomatic efforts to help solve the conflict.
In Baltics, Macron defends French dialogue with Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted on Monday (28 September) that Europe should cooperate with Russia to build peace in Europe, despite calls among European Union peers to review his stance towards Moscow after the poisoning of a Russian opposition leader.
Macron: ‘It is clear Lukashenko has to go’
French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday (27 September) that Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko must step down, after the EU refused to recognise him as the legitimate president of the ex-Soviet country.
Make or break for the ‘pro-Belarusian revolution’
In these difficult times for liberal democracy, the EU has to ensure its credibility more decisively than ever, writes Darya Mustafayeva.
EU urged to sanction Lukashenko as struggle with Cyprus continues
Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on Monday (21 September) urged the EU to show courage and impose sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko's government, as the bloc continues to face internal squabbles about sanctions ahead of a crucial foreign policy summit later this week.
Tens of thousands defy police crackdown to protest in Belarus
Tens of thousands of opposition supporters marched in the Belarusian capital of Minsk Sunday (20 September), defying a heavy security presence that included water cannon and armoured vehicles.
Poland proposes billion-euro EU fund for Belarus
Poland on Thursday (17 September) proposed an EU stabilisation fund for Belarus worth at least one billion euros, as a top opposition leader prepared to meet EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Lithuania says EU’s inaction over Belarus undermines foreign policy credibility
The EU's lack of action over Belarus is undermining the credibility of its foreign policy, Lithuanian foreign affairs minister Linas Linkevicius told the Financial Times newspaper in an interview published on Sunday (6 September).
New protests in Belarus as opposition squabbles, US weighs sanctions
Thousands of students boycotted the start of the school year in Belarus on Tuesday (1 September) and signs of a possible rift appeared in an opposition alliance that has led weeks of rallies and protests against veteran President Alexander Lukashenko....
Belarus opposition leader: Lukashenko showed weakness by seeking support from Moscow
The only Belarusian opposition leader who has not gone into exile, Maria Kolesnikova, is positive about the future of the pro-democracy protests in the eastern European country. EURACTIV's media partner EFE reports.
Russia warns US, EU against Belarus sanctions, interference
Russia's foreign ministry said on Tuesday (25 August) it had warned the United States and European Union against imposing sanctions on its ally Belarus and interfering in its internal affairs.